Which 22lr lever gun - Marlin or Winchester?

[burneyr]

Looking to pick up a classic 22lr lever gun.

Pretty much narrowed my choices to the Marlin Mountie or the Winchester 9422 as I prefer a straight stock on my other centerfire lever rifles.

Any compelling reasons to choose one over the other? Since both have been out of production for a good while (thinking parts availability) is one considered more durable or reliable? Features of one more desirable than the other?

I'm 100% a Marlin guy when it comes to centerfire, but the 9422 is really a great looking piece. Just looking for a nudge in one direction or another from folks with experience with either.

Thanks for your constructive opinions-

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I like Marlin better but the Winchester is certainly no slouch. But which is actually better is subjective. Condition can make the difference.

I don’t believe you’ll be unhappy whichever you choose.

[lihpster]

Both fine weapons. I always thought the Winchesters were prettier and it didn't hurt that Louis L'Amour never wrote," He could see the indians moving up slowly, taking advantage of the rocks. He loaded his Marlin full up and waited for an opportunity."

[jc2721]

I have both a Mountie and 2 9422s--the Winchesters are much smoother than the Marlin and the blued finish on both Winchesters are superior. If I had to keep just one, it would be the 9422 XTR (checkered walnut stock).

None of them are for sale.

[dmar]

There’s usually big love for the Marlin on this forum, I’ve got both, and IMO the Winchester is the “nicer” gun. The action, and fit and finish is really, really nice with the 9422, and the XTR versions are beautiful guns. The action on the Winchester is excellent. I also prefer the straight stock. The Marlin is also very solid, you really can’t go wrong with either, and hopefully you’ll end up with both.

That said, if you haven’t done so already, you should check out the Browning BL-22. I love mine, and it’s my favorite.22 lever to shoot. It has great accuracy, very nice fit and finish, and it has a short lever throw that makes it really, really fun/convenient to shoot. It also has the straight stock.

Good luck with your decision.

[OutAtTheEdge]

The Marlin 39A I have right now is the best shooting .22 I've ever owned. The only one that's ever come close was the first 39A I owned.

[The Norseman]

My suggestion to you is buy the first reasonable
priced, best condition Marlin or Winchester that
comes along.

Unfortunately I will be no help to you. I own
a circa early 1990s Marlin Trapper and a
circa late 1990s Winchester Trapper. Both
bought brand spanking new by me.

I like both very much. I will say this much the
the finishing of both are nice, but the Winchester
is better.

Both are treated as if they are the last on Earth,
and would be price prohibitive for someone to
buy them from me.

The best to you and your endeavors.

[colt_saa]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with either of the two choices you have mentioned. However I do not own either one personally

In 22 LR I have two different Henry's, a standard model and one of the Golden Boys

I also have one of the Rossi Ranch Hands which is a very cool piece. Always wanted a Mare's leg

But the one that I truly enjoy is my Browning BL22

My particular example has had the receiver refinished in color case hardened by Turnbull Restoration

The Browning is very accurate as well as exceptionally smooth with the great big bonus of having a fantastic nostalgic look to it

[Fishinfool]

I have owned several of both, with a 9422m being the remaining .22 lever gun in my safe. Smooth, accurate, and good looking - what's not to like? You really can't go wrong with either, its more personal taste.

The Browning BL-22 is another very nice piece, but mine had a terrible trigger, to the point it was hard to shoot accurately.

Larry

[edwardyoung]

A 9422 is a fine gun, but a Marlin Mountie is my favorite gun. Love em

[alwslate]

If it makes any difference to you realize that the Marlin and Winchester were both made in the US and the Brownings were made in Japan. Many years ago a coworker bought a Browning BL-22 at a gun show. When he got it home he noticed it was made in Japan. He was so disgusted that he gave it to his son and bought a Marlin at the next gun show.

[hardluk1]

I picked up a henry frontier octagon 24" barrel in 22mag 2 years ago and like it far better than a nice older winny 9422mag I had for 30 years and sold the winny as the henrys is a better looking rifle and simply a better shooter but like 22lrs they can be very ammo dependent but 1.25' 100 yard groups are practical.

[Swiftflyer]

I have owned both, the 9422 XTR was nicer looking but the 39M was the better shooter. Sold the 9422 but still have the 39M.

[jake1945]

I have a Henry 22RF which I really like. I also have a Winchester 93ae in 45 colt with Williams front and rear sights. The rear sight is mounted on the receiver for longer sight radius.

[bamabiker]

You do know variety is the spice of life. Get both and then start looking for a Browning and a Henry.
Enjoy them all.

[KalamazooKid]

I can’t compare as I just have a first year (1972) 9422. It’s an incredibly well built rifle that is really smooth and accurate.

Pictured here with a model 94 from 1951 in 30-30 (on the right). Always a good day when these two get to come out and play!



More of the 9422 ……

[Babysitr]

I have a 9422 XTR....you cant go wrong with the Winchester, great shooter

[mauser9]

Both fine rifles. Wish now I would have grabbed the Marlin 1894 22 magnum back when. Expensive now if found

[Ivan the Butcher]

Two questions. 1) Are Winchester 22 LR lever actions still made in the USA? 2) Are the Marlin 39 A still in production?

Or are we talking about buying only used rifles?

Ivan

[Drm50]

The 94/22 and Browning are both nice rifles but the Marlin 39 is
“The Lever Action 22”. From its roots was in production almost 100yrs. The Henry’s have nothing in common with these 3.
Maybe Ruger will put the 39 back into production. It was the only traditional design 22 lever. Not counting rare Win 1873s. Ruger has the technical ability to make the 39. I don’t know if profit margin will allow it. The market is there for levers, that’s what put Henry in business, along with excellent CS.

[BB57]

In my experience the Marlin 39 and 39A are more accurate than the Winchester 9422.

However the 9422 is smoother operating, with a shorter lever stroke, and better made in similar excellent to mint condition.

The Model 39A is a take down rifle although you need to take care not to lose the bolt.

The 9422 is not marketed as a takedown rifle but comes apart with the removal of a single screw and that screw can be replaced with a no tools required saddle ring screw from Beartooth mercantile.


There’s also a third option in the form of the Browning BL-22. It’s well made and usually less expensive than the other options. It’s also still in production which is a big plus for availability and finding a very nice example. It has the shortest lever stroke of the bunch but gives up some smoothness [IMG]It’s also the smallest of the bunch, other than the trapper variant of the 9422.[/IMG]to the 9422, and some accuracy to the Marlin. It doesn’t take a tang sight, which is a negative, but Skinner does make an ok performing receiver sight for it (which also requires a taller front sight).



The BL-22 is also the smallest of the bunch, other than the trapper variant of the 9422. That’s a pro or a con depending on what you want.

The Model 39/39A and 9422 are nice adult sized rifles, the BL-22 isn’t kid sized (except for their youth model) but it is slightly smaller and lighter than the 9422 and handles like a smaller rifle.





Any of them are one or two orders of magnitude nicer than the Henry and a Rossi .22 LR lever guns.

[Rock185]

I have no experience with the Marlin .22, but can comment on the Winchester 9422. My 9422 was a Trapper in .22 Magnum. It was very nicely finished, smooth and reliable little rifle.

[S-W4EVER]

I wish I’d purchased both the Winchester 9422 and the Marlin 39A back in the day. I’ve always liked lever action rifles. What I did buy was a Marlin 1897 Texan (a 39A with straight stock and octagon barrel). You get a hold of one of those and you’ll never want to part with it.

[Oscar Zulu]

I've had a 94222 since I was eleven years old. 1976.... I had the loan of an uncle's 39A previously. I really appreciated the more traditional and sleeker lines, smoother action and lighter weight of the 9422. Still have and still love that gun.
OZ

[dave1918a2]

I had a few Marlins, a couple of Winchesters, and a Browning. The marlins were micro-groove and lousy shooters. The Winchesters shot OK. The BL22 is a Grade II with the 24 inch octagon bbl and is a fantastic shooter. Sold the M and W guns. Should have kept a W. Kept the BL22. The kids at the club like shooting it and so do I. If Your choice is between M and W exclusively I second W simply because it says Winchester.

[CH4]

Can't go wrong with either. If I was forced to choose, I'd probably go with the 9422.

[2152hq]

I like the Marlin, and in that mfgr, I like the Model 97 better than the later Model 39A.
The reasons for that are the stock styling, recv'r styling and the early style magazine tube.

The Stocks are the nice trim early Marlin. Some of the earlier 97's have the slight round top to the recv'r.
The pistol grip stocked 97's are the best looking IMO.

Just a personal choice of course.
But the 1897's are only rated for StdVel ammo, so that has to be taken into account. It can matter to some. It doesn't to me.

I've never been a fan of the Win 9422. Absolutely nothing wrong with them though. Solid guns. Just not my thing.

[Ackley1952]

the winchester carries better and the marlin shoots better, does that help?

[Mule Packer]

I own/owned all three...a Marlin 39A, a Winchester 9422M, and the Browning BL-22 (Grade II). I've kept the Marlin and the Winchester and gave the Browning to one of my sons. If I had to choose between the Marlin and the Winchester, it would be the Winchester. I'm planning on giving the Marlin to one of my other sons...but I'm still going to hang on to the Winchester until they move me out in a pine box.

But, when "push comes to shove," they're all great rifles and it boils down to what you prefer. Bottom line...you're in a win win win situation.

[SLT223]

Once you buy one you going probably going to buy the other, so don’t fret too much. FWIW, I think the 9422 is a little prettier. The old all steel .22’s don’t look or feel cheap. They feel like quality built center fire rifles, but they’re cheap to shoot. Just lovely.

[robvious]

for me.. the 9422 is the better looking rifle... the 39A is tye better shooting rifle... I wanted a 9422 as a kid soooooo bad... could never manage to save up enough money...Got the Marlin... still have it.. great rifle.

[444 Magnum]

The Marlin 39A had the longest production run of any .22--ever. That should say something about the design and reliability.

[Muley Gil]

I once owned an early (1973) 9422 in .22 LR. It was very smooth. Unfortunately, I sold it about 6 years later.

13 years later, I found a Centennial Marlin M39. It has a 20" octagon barrel and a straight stock.

In addition, two of my buddies bought Browning BL-22s and I shot both of them quite a bit.

All of them were good rifles. The Marlin is probably a tad more accurate, but the Winchester was smoother and shot well.

Any of the three would be good choices. If I had my druthers, I would find another a Winchester, but I wouldn't sell the Marlin either.

[Mike, SC Hunter]

My 3 which I've owned for a long time. Winchester 9422 bought the year they came out. Came with walnut I switched it to Laminate. Marlin 1894T. 16 in octagon barrel. Browning BL-22 octagon. 22 in bbl. Grade II better wood and nickel engraved receiver. These are made with high quality. I'll never be able to wear them out.
I also have a scoped 1894M that is VERY accurate. That I seldom shoot.

You can't go wrong with any of these lifetime .22's.

[dwh]

Sadly I haven’t had the opportunity to own a Marlin yet! I do have 3 9422’s a 1993 XTR, 2nd year 9422 and a 1st year 9422m. They’ll go to my nieces and nephew when I’m gone and I not going anywhere soon. In the meantime I’m going to shoot the snot out of them.

[44wheelman]

I’ve got a TDS, Mountie, and 9422, among others. Smoothness goes to the Winchester, convenience to the TDS, and lastly a Mountie then std 39.

[Drm50]

I received a Marlin 1897 for my 5th birthday in 1955. Couldn’t come close to round count. Did break the main spring in late 60s.
This is a flat spring in the old original 97s. My old man dickered price down to $8 from $10, the high point of his gun trading abilities.

[burneyr]

Thanks for all the replies and posts! I'd never have expected all the Winchester love and appreciation nor the huge response from you guys.

After a couple days of looking I found a really fair deal on one. Highly rated shop and even better as it's an XTR. Can't wait for it to show up next week.

I'll be on the lookout for a Mountie next. Wouldn't mind a BL22 either if I can pick up a Grade I field model without the traditional Browning high gloss wood.

Seller's pic - will post later after I can hit the range with it.

[Modified]

I currently have a first year 9422 and a BL22 in the safe. I really like both of them.

I've owned a few Marlins and liked them plenty, but in the end I found the only .22 Lever gun I wanted for myself was the 9422, and I have kept the BL22 for the kids.

If I had more rack space I would also have a Marlin in there. It's really hard to say which of the three is best because they are all great guns.

In the end, if you have space, just have all 3. They are enjoyable in different enough ways that its well worth having all of them.

[BB57]

Originally Posted by burneyr

Thanks for all the replies and posts! I'd never have expected all the Winchester love and appreciation nor the huge response from you guys.

After a couple days of looking I found a really fair deal on one. Highly rated shop and even better as it's an XTR. Can't wait for it to show up next week.

I'll be on the lookout for a Mountie next. Wouldn't mind a BL22 either if I can pick up a Grade I field model without the traditional Browning high gloss wood.

Seller's pic - will post later after I can hit the range with it.

Just a caution on 9422 “XTR” rifles. Initially Winchester did not use checkering on its 9422 rifles. In 1978, the first year of the 9422 XTR, the XTRs were also not checkered.

From 1979 onward they checkered the stock and forearm on the 9422 XTR and not the standard 9422s.

After 1989 when Winchester discontinued the XTR series, Winchester checkered the stock and forearm on the standard 9422s. That has created some confusion and some well intentioned people assume if the stock is checkered, it’s an XTR. The fact that all of the 9422 receivers are highly polished helps perpetuate that misperception.

However, there are two things that define a 9422 XTR:

- highly polished flats on the lever and hammer; and

- “XTR” stamped on the barrel.

If it doesn’t have those things, it is not an XTR.

I bring this up, because I have encountered reputable gun shop owners with a post 1989 standard 9422 for sale, that was identified and priced as an “XTR” due to the checkered stock when it clearly was not. They were not trying to be deceptive, they just didn’t know any better.

[burneyr]

If this one turns out not to be an XTR my feelings won't be hurt. Very glad I hit the listing five minutes after it was posted. In two days of poking around the net nothing in this price/condition state was even close.

Thanks for the XTR specific info - that's knowledge any collector can put to use.

[Golddollar]

I bought a Marlin 39A something like 45 years ago off a friend who was out of work and needed the money. I put a good Bushnell Banner scope on it. It would make a group of 5 shots at 100 yards with CCI Mini-Mags that could be covered with the bottom of a styrofoam coffee cup. I still have it.

[Krogen]

I use my 9422 in Cowboy Silhouette. No, not Cowboy Action . . . . I don't have a need to dress up like Wyatt Earp!

The rifle routinely outshoots my abilities. It sports a Williams peep sight that attaches to the grooved receiver. I'd put a tang sight on it but I can't bring myself to drill and tap the tang. So it has the clamp-on Williams. These eyes don't work with buckhorn sights anymore. Buckhorns are for kids! I don't know your age, OP, but I'd heartily recommend a better rear sight. While you're at it, replace the front sight with a Lyman 17A. Despite the improved sights, my rifle is still better than I am!

[BB57]

Originally Posted by burneyr

If this one turns out not to be an XTR my feelings won't be hurt. Very glad I hit the listing five minutes after it was posted. In two days of poking around the net nothing in this price/condition state was even close.

Thanks for the XTR specific info - that's knowledge any collector can put to use.

If the condition is like it looks in the picture you won’t go wrong at $900.

9422s have gotten pricey. 10-12 years ago you could find an excellent condition 9422 XTR for $750-$800, but you’d still have people saying they were over priced, recalling the days when you could find them for $450-$500.

Now a standard grade 9422 will bring $900-$1200, and an XTR will start around $1200 and average around $1300 in excellent condition.

—-

I was hoping “Winchester” (FN Herstal) would have Miroku start making the 9422 again. The odds were against it as it would mostly compete with their BL-22.

Now that they’ve started making their Ranger .22 LR lever action the odds are much less that the 9422 will ever be made again.

[PALADIN85020]

My money is on the Winchester 9422.

1. It's a genuine quality-revived Winchester. They went to "all hands on deck" to make this gun as perfect as possible in every respect.

2. The lockup is stronger than the Marlin.

3. In feeding, the round is under full control from tube to chamber.

4. It's smoother and more positive in operation.

5. Cleaning it is a snap.

6. Fit and finish are superb.

Here are the ones I own and shoot:

John



P.S. Both the Winchester and the Marlin are covered thoroughly in my book 101 Classic Firearms.

[Empe]

I'm a little late to the party as I see you've already made your choice ...the Winchester 94/22.
I was going to say that I don't think you'll regret the purchase of either model .
I always wanted a Win 94/22 but somehow ended up with 3 Marlin 39A's including the Mountie you mentioned and with no regrets.
The Win 94/22 models have gotten a little too pricey for me over the past number of years so I'll be content with my 39A's .
Congratulations on your purchase .

[Grayfox]

The Marlins are good rifles no doubt. But they always felt kinda bulky to me. Fore end and stock are wider than I like.
I do have a 9422 XTR. The Winchester's slimmer design just feels right in my hands. Its a tack driver too.
I'll still own this rifle until the day I die.

[PALADIN85020]

Originally Posted by Grayfox

The Marlins are good rifles no doubt. But they always felt kinda bulky to me. Fore end and stock are wider than I like.
I do have a 9422 XTR. The Winchester's slimmer design just feels right in my hands. Its a tack driver too.
I'll still own this rifle until the day I die.

I agree with your comments on the Marlin. I own just one, a highly customized example that in my opinion outclasses the stock examples by light years. Here's a pic of this beauty - not sure if it was done at the factory, but it's really slick now.

John


(Click for larger view)